Uncoupling device



Patented Nov. i, 1927.

unirse stares PA'riLN'r OFFICE.

FRANK H. KAYLER, F ALLIANCE, OHIO, ASSGNOR TO AMERCAN STEEL FOUNDRIES, F CHCAGO, LLNOIS, .A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

UNooUrLING DEVICE.

Application led August 11, 1924. Serial No. 731,338.

r1`his invention relates to draft mechanism andV more part-icularly to a coupler uncoupling device that not'only controls the cou.- pling and uncoupling action, but also moves the coupler sidewise to facilitate coupling of cars.

One object of the invention is to provide a simple, efficient and durable arrangement whereby a lock lifter may be given an unlocking movement and also the coupler a sidewise movement to facilitate positioning the coupler for a coupling action on curves or to place the coupler in a position such that it may meet with an associated coupler under various circumstances.

Another object is to provide a simple uncoupling arrangement in which, after the lock lifter is lowered into a given position. the uncoupling rod will not rest upon the lifter and accordingly will not transmit weight thereto to cause a jamming of said lifter within the coupler head.

`Another object is to provide a simple un coupling device adaptedto meet the various requirements under service conditions.

These and other objects are accomplished by means of the arrangements shown on the accompanying sheet of drawings in which# Figure 1 is an end view of a coupler and associated parts embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the arrangement shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view show ing the manner in which the uncoupling rod is connected to the lock lifter and,

Figures 5 and 6 are detail top plan and side elevational views of a modified connection between tlie uncouplingrod and lock lifter.

The various novel features of the invend tion will be apparent from the following description and drawings and will be paiticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

the figures of the drawing,

Referring to n that my invention is illusit will be noted trated `in connection with a standard type of f car coupler having a head in which the knuckle 11 is pivotally mounted by a pin 12, a lock lifter 13 being provided for lifting the lock during an uncoupling movement and for permitting the lock to be lowered. Preferably the lock lifter 13 is operatively connected to the lock in the manner shown in the Bazeley Patent No. 1,144,315, granted June 22, 1915.

An uncoupling rod 14 is provided for lifting the lock'lifter 13 and its associated lock and for permitting a lowering movement of saine. This uncoupling rod has an operating handle 15 located near the side of the cai' at the end thereof, which handle extends at right angles with respect to the main length of the rod and normally extends downwardly. Adjacent the coupler, the uncoupling rod is bent at right angles at 16 to the main body portion of the rod and eX- tends outwardly over the coupler substantially in a horizontal plane and'terininatesA in a iattened eye portion 17 which embraces or surrounds the upper endof the lock lifter 13. The uncoupling rod 14 is'connected to the lock lifter 13 by a pin or projections or the equivalent 18 associated with a saddle member 19, said pin or projections or equivalent 18 passing through an opening 21 in the upper end of the lock lifter'13, it` being noted that said connecting means 18 passes .through the lock lifter 13v at a point above the eye portion 17 of the lock lifter. Ac-

cordingly, when the handle 15 of the uncoupling rod 14 is raised, the eye portion 17 engages the side walls 2O ofthe saddle 19 for lifting the lock lift-er 13 and the lock connected thereto. The lifter'is raised substantiallyin a vertical straight line through# out the lifting` movement/'by virtue of the fact that the forwardly extending eye portion of the uncoupling rod does not move far out of its horizontal plane and furtherr by virtue of the fact that the uncoupling rod 14 is free to move forwardly and rearwardly in the elongated opening 22 of a bracket 23 secured to a properly supported plate 24. By means of the connection between the eye portion 17 of the uncoupling rod and the lock lifter 13, it will be appreciated that when the uncoupling rod has been lowered into the position shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, said eye portion 17 will rest directly on top of the coupler head and will not exert any downward pressure upon the lock lifter 13 and accordingly will prevent the latter from jamming or otherwise becoming disarranged within the ycoupler head. As a matter of fact, the lock lifter 13 may be said to be suspended upon the eye portion 17 of the uncoupling rod 14 and accordingly limits downward movement of the lock lifter 13.

n Figures 5 and 6 there is shown a modied connection between the lock lifter and the uncoupling rod in which it will be noted that a key 25 is inserted through the opening 2G in the lock lifter at a point above the eye portion 27 of the uncoupling rod. rl`he key after being` inserted is bent to curve around as at 28 to engage parts ot the eye portion 27 of the uncoupling rod. This connection functions in substantially 'the same manner as the connection in Figures 1l and lf in the drawing.

In addition to the uncouplingrod being capable ot operating the lock lifter 13, it is capable of giving the coupler sidewise movement to position the coupler to facilitate its connect-ion with an associated coupler. For example, it the car to which the coupler is attached is on a curve and it is Vdesired to make a coupling, it may be necessary to move the coupler sidewise Ytrom its central position. ln that case by applying a sidewise pressure upon the Ahandle 15 in a proper direction, the coupler will be moved in the same sense by virtue of the connection ot the uncoupling rod 14 to the coupler through the 4lock lifter By referring particularly to Figure 2 of the drawing, it will be noted the uncoupling rod is given sufficient freedom or' movement to move the coupler to either side, such freedom ot movement being permitted because ot the elongation of the opening 22 in which the uncoupling rod operates. Said uncoupling rod in addition to being supported in the bracket 2,3 is also supported lin a bracket 29.

means of the arrangement herein disclosed the lock lifter and lock may be raised, the uncoupling rod being so connected with the lock litterthat no downward pressure is exerted upon the latter but as a matter ot fact the downward movement of the lock lifter is limited by the uncoupling rod resting` upon the coupler nead and in addition thereto the coupler may be given sidewise movement for positioning the coupler to facilitate a coupling act-ion with an associated coupler.

What l claim as new is:

1. In draft mechanism, the combination oin a coupler having a lock litter, and an uncoupling rod embracing said lock litter and connected thereto whereby when said rod has permitted lowering of the coupler lock, said rod will rest upon the coupler to relieve sa'd litter of pressure to prevent jamming ot said lifter within the coupler head, said coupler being moved sidcwise by said rod solely through said lifter.

2. In draft mechanism, the combination orn a coupler having a lock lifter, and an uncoupling rod connected to said lock lifter vfor operating the latter and for giving said coupler a sidewise movementby pressure exerted solely uponl said lock li'jter, said uncoupling rod and lock litter being slidably connected to each other whereby when said rod has permitted lowering of the lock lifter, said rod will rest upon the coupler to relieve said lifter or' any pressureV to prevent jamming of said lifter within the coupler head. Zf. ln draft mechanism, the combination of a coupler having a lock lifter, an uncoupling rod having a portion embracing saidY lock litter whereby said coupler may be moved sidewise by said rod through said litter, and a support for said uncoupling rod having an elongated opening for permitting freedom of movement of said uncoupling rod as the coupler is moved sidewise. l Signed at Alliance, Ohio, this 8th day of Aug., 1924.

annui; n. KAYLER.' 

